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Eco Hero: Thomas Ball

Matilda Lee | 03.08.11

Thomas Ball is a campaigner through the eye of a camera lens. He ventures to places where extraordinary things are happening and where the planet is under threat - and records the story through the most amazing photography. Thomas funds his campaigning documentary work through providing photography for ethical and sustainable corporates. If you are looking for an inspiring photographer - check out his site.

What inspires you?

My greatest inspiration comes from my late mother and the strength she showed whilst fighting cancer. She showed me that even during the darkest and toughest times one must be thankful for what they have and to cherish family and friends. When I’m caught up in the stresses and strains of work, I think of how she squeezed everything she could out of life and how much she gave to others. Her example has been a continued inspiration to me.

What makes you angry?

The perceived need for perpetual growth. I understand the economic principle behind why we’re supposed to sell more, grow more and buy more, but I am angered that we can’t seem to break the cycle. Why is a seemingly successful company deemed to be failing if they haven’t sold more than they did the year before? It’s not that I want the world to stagnate, but it maddens me that we’re on this treadmill of consumption with very few options to get off it.

If you were Prime Minister, what would be the first thing you'd change?

I would hate to be Prime Minister! I think even the most well meaning individual would find they are fighting against a wall of bureaucracy and the power of vested interests.

In saying that, if I did take up the job I would set up a large innovators fund for renewable energies. There are lots of existing funding structures for companies already, but they are complicated and can be very difficult to access. I’d want to help those with a more radical approach to have the support they need to try out their ideas, and if they work, to get their company off the ground.

I would also bring in a plastic bag levy. It’s a simple piece of legislation that can have big impact. I grew up in Ireland and I remember when the law was introduced there in 2002. It quickly cut their use by over 90%. The revenue raised by the tax could be used to fund research into more biodegradable plastics or other environmental programs.

Can individuals really make a difference?

Yes of course they can!

It obviously helps to be connected and have powerful friends who can change laws, but our actions, no matter how small, can make a difference. Simple things like recycling more, installing a water butt, composting at home and insulating your house; when millions of individuals take these small actions, they add up to make a big difference.

On top of this, we now have a plethora of social media platforms at our fingertips, that we can use to shout about what we’re doing and get others involved. Through blogs, Twitter and Facebook, we can get our viewpoints across, garner support and communicate with like minded individuals faster and easier than at any time in the past. It starts with the individual and grows from there.

What’s more urgent: changing things from the inside or starting a revolution on the outside?

I think it should be a combination of both. We need organised and vocal outside pressure groups combined with strong and inspirational leaders from within. For instance, groups like UK Uncut are doing great work at getting out on the streets to vocalise their discontent at corporate tax evasion, but ultimately their cause needs help from MP’s within government who have the strength and courage to bring about legislation to actually stop it.

What is the best meal you’ve had in your life? Cooked by whom? Eaten with whom?

I’ve been fortunate to eat at some very nice restaurants and have sampled many culinary delights over the years. However, the meal that sticks out in my mind the most is the one my partner cooked for us recently. It was a simple but very tasty quiche and salad. It was one of our first meals where the majority of the ingredients were produced at home. The eggs were kindly supplied by our lovely new chickens Lucy and Ella and all the vegetables came from our garden. It’s hard to beat the taste of food that you know has only traveled a few feet to your plate.

Can you describe a typical work day?

What I love about being freelance is that I rarely have a typical day at work. I thrive on the variety of my work and not knowing exactly what lies around the corner.

One day I can be doing a shoot for a magazine or newspaper, while the next I’m away producing work for one of my own documentaries. When I’m not out with my camera, I generally work from my office at home in North London where I can be found spending hours editing images, applying for funding or doing research for my next personal project.

How do you define success?

When I was younger I would probably have defined success by how much money I earned and the job I had. However, my perspectives have changed since then.

I think a sense of one’s own success should come from being comfortable in your own skin and feeling pride in how you live your life and the work you do. Without meaning to sound trite, I think managing to stay true to yourself and achieving your personal goals are much more important than worrying about how much you earn, the house you live in and the car you drive.

What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given you?

When I was indecisive about moving to London in 2006 to focus my career on photography, my boss at the time told me that “the best decisions are often the hardest to make”. It wasn’t specific advice exactly, but it’s a motto that’s stayed with me and helps me to push myself when I have an option between the easy or the difficult route.

What’s your favourite book or film of late?

My favourite book that I’ve bought recently is The Ruins of Detroit by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre. It’s a disturbingly beautiful set of photographs documenting the decaying urban fabric of this famous American city.

I also recently saw a documentary film at the photo festival Les Rencontres d’Arles by British filmmaker Trisha Ziff called The Mexican Suitcase. It’s about the loss (and eventual rediscovery) of a set of negatives shot by photographers Robert Capa, Gerda Taro and David Seymour during the Spanish civil war. I’d highly recommend anyone with an interest in history or photography to go check it out when it comes to the UK.

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